Abstract
Purpose: This study investigates the bidirectional relationship between body weight and depression for both males and females in the U.S. Methods: Data are drawn from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), and a simultaneous ordered probability system is estimated with maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to accommodate the two-way causality between depression and body weight categories. The variable of depression is measured by individuals’ past depressive records and current mental health status. Results: Depression and body weight are found to affect each other positively for both males and females on average. In a randomized population, the results of average treatment effects suggest significant body weight differences between depressed and non-depressed individuals. Age and other sociodemographic factors affect body weight differently between genders and between the people with depression and those without. Conclusion: The positive bidirectional relationship between body weight and depression is found. The effect of depression on body weight is significant among both males and females in a randomized population, and females who experience depression are most likely to be obese and less likely to have normal weight compared to females without depression. The risks of overweight and obesity are high among people who are less educated or unable, who have poor health statuses, and who had high blood pressure.
Highlights
IntroductionObesity and depression are two major public health concerns involving a huge population around worldwide
The effect of depression on body weight is significant among both males and females in a randomized population, and females who experience depression are most likely to be obese and less likely to have normal weight compared to females without depression
Existing studies have suggested a linkage between depression and obesity [6,7,8], and a meta-analysis of 19 studies suggested a bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity [9]
Summary
Obesity and depression are two major public health concerns involving a huge population around worldwide. More than 350 million people of all ages suffered from depression during 2012 in all regions of the world [1], and it is estimated that 1 out of 20 people reported having an episode of depression in the previous year worldwide [2]. In 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight around the world and over 600 million of them were obese [3]. In the U.S, over one-third of adults and 17% of children were obese during 2011–2012 [4]. Obesity is found to be associated with physical ailment and mental disorders, such as mood disorder, major depression, and anxiety [5]. Existing studies have suggested a linkage between depression and obesity [6,7,8], and a meta-analysis of 19 studies suggested a bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity [9]
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